The Pageant Promise

Former Rockette Works To Make Sure Contestants Excel

NEWPORT NEWS — It's easy to see why the starry-eyed young women look up to Debbi Davidson, the tall-as-a-reed woman with thick auburn hair cut just below her ears.

``When I first saw her, I thought, `Golly, she has these long, long legs,' '' says Clarissa Blair, 18. ``I could tell by her legs that she must have been a wonderful dancer.''

Blair is a contestant in next week's Hampton Roads Junior Miss Pageant.

Davidson, a former Rockette at New York City's famed Radio City Music Hall, is helping these bright, personable and ambitious high school seniors prepare for the opening dance numbers.

``Most of the girls are quite outgoing,'' Davidson says of the contestants. ``You have to be pretty self-assured to do this, and they have to be good students.''

The winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship and a chance to vie for the state title in Roanoke. The state winner competes in America's Junior Miss Pageant for a $30,000 scholarship.

Davidson, a former runway model, and her mother, Elizabeth Evans of Hampton, have helped hundreds of girls prepare for the pageant since the mid-1970s.

For the past few years, the contestants have practiced every Sunday at The Dance Center in Newport News, which Evans opened three decades ago. Davidson, a tap, jazz and ballet teacher, helps choreograph the pageant's opening dance, and advises the girls on their posture, make-up and hair.

While the contestants must parade in evening gowns before a row of judges, the pageant is more about brains than looks.

``Judges focus on the things that the girls do,'' says Davidson, ``how they see themselves and how they fit in the world.''

``It's another way to get a way to go to college,'' says contestant Blair, Student Council parliamentarian at Hampton High School, computer club president, and a member of a Latin and math honor society.

Of the pageant, she says, ``Its just a great opportunity, it's fun and it's something to tell your grandchildren.''

If judges are counting good looks, Blair says all the girls are winners.

``I've always been told I have beautiful eyes,'' she says. ``But each person that I've met in the contest, they're so beautiful in their own way.''

DEBBI DAVIDSON

WHAT: Volunteer with the Hampton Roads Junior Miss Pageant

FAMILY: She has two children: Chris, 20, and Matt, 17.

BACKGROUND: At 17, Davidson became a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. She performed with the Music Hall Corps de Ballet.